Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012

We’ve got a lot to prove in Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012. Let’s make one thing clear—this is not the shootout you’re expecting.

The test, administered by Bruce Logan, ASC CSC, shows two ways of looking at cameras–empirical and subjective. This three part Shootout is about two things; what a camera is capable of, and what a skilled, experienced DP can do with the same camera. The key element here is talent. Nine camera masters take on nine cameras, all shooting the same scene.

Part one presents unlabeled footage of a complex party scene designed by Bruce Logan, ASC CSC, and we hear from legendary DP’s discussing what being a cinematographer means to them. Part Two proves that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Does talent, experience and creativity trump technology? In part three, the pixel peepers can finally breathe a sigh of relief when we stack the cameras against one another under the same grueling conditions.

It’s not the gear that determines greatness anymore, it’s you!The test was conducted at the Tribeca Flashpoint Academy. Color grading was completed using the Baselight system at Filmworkers Club. Some camera manufacturers opted to color grade at other facilities but all used the Baselight system. Zacuto acted as the central organizing body for the project and documented the production and post-production processes.